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Governor signs six legislative bills into law

January 12, 2009

Governor Felix P. Camacho took action on several bills enacting six new public laws, including a measure to implement an Amortized System Development Charge to provide assistance for low to moderate income families in purchasing or building a home for their personal residence.

"This is an important measure that will help potential buyers achieve the dream of homeownership in the midst of financial challenges being seen throughout our nation today," Governor Camacho said.  "It is imperative that we work together to find and implement the solutions our community needs to continue promoting economic growth despite the many obstacles we face."

Public Law 29-133 will provide qualified homeowners with the option to pay for an initial system development charge for their water and wastewater system and connections while the remaining charges will be amortized over a period of 15 years.  The new law also establishes the guidelines necessary for the Guam Public Utilities Commission to adopt the rules and regulations for the implementation of the ASDC.

Governor Camacho also signed a measure authorizing the Guam Waterworks Authority to seek emergency financing options as the agency moves forward with infrastructure development projects.

"Providing safe and reliable water to our residents and businesses is a critical responsibility of this government, especially as we must strengthen our infrastructure to sustain Guam's growth," Governor Camacho said.  "This measure will help to alleviate current funding and procurement constraints in order for GWA to move forward with new projects and developments during these financially challenging times."

In an effort to prevent sewage overflows and violations of the U.S Clean Water Act, a temporary moratorium on sewer connections in central Guam resulted in a revenue loss to the government of Guam from potential developers in the area. 

Public Law 29-130 authorizes GWA to enter into long-term and short-term financing agreements, credit facilities and other construction and procurement models to improve water infrastructure and services and promote greater economic growth.

Governor Camacho signed four other legislative bills late last week.  They are as follows:

• PL 29-131: Authorizes cosmetologists licensed in Japan to obtain a Guam cosmetology license to provide training at a recognized school of cosmetology on Guam and to provide additional funding for the Health Professional Licensure Fund for the Barbering and Cosmetology Board.
  
• PL 29-132: Officially recognizes appropriated pharmaceutical funds as operating revenues.
  
• PL 29-134:Officially renames the Merizo Public Library to the "Rosa Aguigui Reyes Memorial Library."
• PL 29-135: Authorizes the Department of Land Management to begin the work necessary for the construction of the new Department of Land Management facility in Agana.